"I guess—I guess it's up to me, sir," said Steve.
Mr. Daley sighed. "I think it must be." There was silence for a moment. Then, "Why?" asked Mr. Daley gently.
"I don't know, sir."
"You couldn't have thought of—er—making unfair use of it?"
"I——" Steve hesitated again. Finally, "Perhaps I did for a moment. But—I shouldn't have, sir," he added earnestly.
"I hope not, Edwards. But—why did you take it? You—er—must have known that it would—er—be missed."
"I"—Steve seemed to be searching for an answer—"I just took it to—to get even with Upton."
"To get even with him? He has—er—done something, then, to—er—annoy you?"
"Yes, sir. That is, well—I don't like him."
Mr. Daley observed Steve dubiously. At last, "I wish I could believe that explanation, Edwards," he said. "As inexcusable as such—er—such an action would be, it would still be preferable to—to what I am forced to suspect. But the whole thing is beyond me." The instructor spread his hands in a gesture of despair. "I can't understand it, Edwards." After a minute, "It must have been an accident," continued Mr. Daley almost pleadingly. "You—er—you perhaps mistook the book for your own——"